What Does It Feel Like to Apply for Social Benefits in Hungary? – Participatory Workshop Organized by Welfare Experiences

On April 21, 2026, we held the first workshop of our project. The main goal of the event was to foster dialogue among stakeholders, caseworkers, civil society organizations, ministry decision-makers, and researchers about the experiences and emotions associated with applying for social benefits in present-day Hungary. We also shared the results of our work so far.

The event took place at the ELTE Centre for Social Sciences.

During the joint discussion, the following conclusions were reached:

• Participants agreed that the Hungarian social welfare system is currently overly bureaucratic, difficult to navigate, and often fails to respond to the real needs of those affected.
• Digital administration can save time, but for many people it remains inaccessible.
• There is a clear need for in-person administration; however, it often results in humiliating and tension-filled situations.
• A key issue is the lack of trust, the absence of empathy, and the fact that clients repeatedly have to prove their obvious physical condition and life circumstances.
• There is a need for a system that is both client- and administrator-friendly, with simpler language, more predictable and norm-based support schemes, and well-trained, prepared professionals.
• There is also a strong need for broader social awareness-raising in order to create inclusive administrative practices that always respect human dignity.
• According to the participants, the foundation of a fair social welfare system is transparency, predictability, and the involvement of affected groups, since this is the only way to restore trust in the system.

If you are curious about how our event unfolded, take a look: